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aka Thrift

Snow is a new selection which has short stems of pure white. The attractive foliage comprises of fine grass-like leaves providing an interesting textural presence year-round. Coastal hardy, easy care. Perennial

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aka Purei, Pukio

Native wetland grass. A bright green grass that forms a large clump. With age, a trunk-like mass of old leaves forms so the grass seems perched on a tall mound. Good for planting in damp to wet areas but will tolerate short periods of dryness. Plant around ponds as shelter for birds. Evergreen

Evergreen

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NZ Native Grass that is a successful colonising plant often used for wetland planting that can also grow on dry sites making it suitable for planting where the conditions may vary periodically. Virgata is a mass of green needle foliage. Tolerant coastal condition. Evergreen.

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aka California Lilac

An attractive spreading evergreen shrub which features sparkling clusters of dark blue flowers in late spring. The shiny foliage turns a deeps ebony shade during winter, changing to dark chocolate-green during spring and summer. Quite hardy and tolerant of wind and cold. PVR 1334.

This is a very useful shrub for cascading over walls and banks. Benefits from a trim every now and then (after flowering) to encourage healthy new growth. Very striking in full flower.

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aka AKA Yoyo

'Snow in Summer' AKA Yoyo is so named as the tiny silver grey leaves are smothered in star-shaped white flowers throughout the summer. A sweet little perennial which is perfect to cascade over walls and hot dry banks. Quite vigorous and hardy. Evergreen.

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aka New Zealand Clematis

Clematis. One of the loveliest NZ Native plants, suitable for trellises, walls or rambling joyfully through trees. Festoons of large, starry, pure white blooms with golden anthers appear in spring, followed by silken seed heads. Keep roots cool with a nice layer of mulch. Evergreen.

Growing Clematis

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aka Karamu

Native. Commonly known as Karamu this evergreen native shrub has small dark green leaves with pale under-sides. Insignificant pale green flowers are followed by small orange berries that birds love. Easy to grow in sun or part shade with protection from harsh frost. Trim regularly to keep tidy.

Early Maori used Karamu as a food source and of course native birds love the berries. Believe it or not Coprosma are in the same family as the coffee plant but we wouldn't recommend substituting Karamu for your favourite brew!

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aka Korokio

This is a great little shrub that will grow just about anywhere, even dry, windy difficult sites. Narrow green leaves and a 'zig zag' branch pattern certainly add interest as do the bright yellow flowers that appear in spring. Red berries follow the flowers that will attract birds to your garden. Evergreen

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aka Korokio

Native. Chocolate without the calories! The soft melted chocolate colour of the leaves combines well with other foliage and looks fantastic as a formal hedge with a difference. Easy to grow and clips extremely well. Yellow flowers in spring followed by berries that birds love. Evergreen.

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aka Korokio

Add a silvery green shimmer to your planting schemes with this special little native. Great contrast plant that makes a wonderful formal hedge or topiary specimen as it clips extremely well. Equally attractive planted in informal groups. Easy to grow. Evergreen. PVR.

Corokia are tolerant of coastal conditions, very hardy and thrive in just about any soil though their preference is for an open sunny site. Very quick to establish. If not trimmed to hard the little yellow flowers will turn into red berries in the autumn that birds love.

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aka Kahikatea or White Pine

This NZ native conifer can reach over 60m when fully mature but that takes quite some time; our height is for 10 year's growth. Juvenile trees have fine drooping bronze 'needles' which eventually change to a green, more a flattened leaf. Produces berries which are loved by birds. Evergreen.

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aka Ake Ake

Native. Ake Ake. A no fuss evergreen foliage shrub that can be used for hedging or background planting. The slightly wavy leaves are shaded purple and bronze and will have better colour if not over-fed or pampered. Will grow just about anywhere except full shade. Evergreen.

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aka Ake Ake

Native. Ake Ake. A useful background or foliage shrub that can be used for screening or hedging. The light green leaves have wavy margins. Fast growing, hardy and adaptable. Tolerates some clipping and will grow just about anywhere but full shade. Evergreen.

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Mini Standard, Floribunda. Enchanting blooms of soft blush pink with hints of apricot, this award winner casts a spell in any garden with its lovely fragrance, multi-petal form and easy care nature. Bushy plant with dark green foliage. Moderate fragrance. Blooms in flushes throughout the season.

Bred by renowned Kordes Roses (Germany, 2003).

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aka Pineapple Guava

Vigorous growing variety which ripens in autumn around April-May. Rough skinned fruit which are large, aromatic and very sweet. Partially self-fertile but cross pollination is essential for large fruit so plant with a companion for best results. Evergreen.

Feijoa Information Page

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aka Pineapple Guava

Well it's called 'Mammoth' for a reason - bumper crops of oblong shaped fruit that are full of flavour, ready to eat around May. Great for cooking and fresh eating, also makes a nice chutney. Plant with another Feijoa for best results. Prefers a sunny well drained position. Evergreen.

Feijoa Information Page

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aka Creeping Fig

A useful plant for covering up anything ugly or unsightly - in the garden that is. Self clinging aerial roots clamber along walls, up fences, water tanks etc. Small juvenile foliage is an attractive bronze green. Grow in sun/part shade and needs protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

This is a plant that I am never without in the garden. I prefer the small mature leaves and usually trim off the more mature rangy growth. Creeping Fig does not like harsh frost and will show signs of some stress in very cold winters but usually recovers well.

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aka Flower Carpet Rose

Shrub. An outstanding ground cover rose with trusses of double, weather proof, snowy white flowers that appear non stop from spring through to autumn. Glossy green, disease resistant foliage and a nice gentle fragrance. Deservedly an award winner. Germany 1991

Bred in Germany where it is called Schneeflocke which translates in English to Snowflake.

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This bright little shrub will add 'sunshine yellow' to your garden in late winter when not much else is in bloom. A fast grower with bright green evergreen foliage that clips well. The pea shaped yellow flowers appear from late winter to early spring. Happy in a well drained sunny spot.

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aka Koromiko

Delightful little native Hebe that is a good "doer". Small close-set leaves that are dark green above and paler beneath. The pale lavender flowers smother the bush from mid to late spring and gradually fade to white as they mature. Prefers a sunny well drained position. Evergreen.

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aka Koromiko / Veronica

Evergreen Hebe which is considered one of the best. Hardy, compact with dainty fresh green foliage and short spikes of white flowers which completely smother the plant from late spring through until summer. Happiest in a sunny well drained position. Very disease resistant. Evergreen

The 'Wiri' series of Hebe have been bred, selected and named by Jack Hobbs of Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens.

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aka Blue Oat Grass

Blue Oat Grass. Highly desirable perennial 'grass' that has arching, blue-grey, needles of foliage that form a robust clump. Panicles of cream 'oat' like flowers appear in summer. Hardy and easy to grow as long as your soil is well drained. Looks great as an edging or mass planted. Evergreen.

Though this is generally a neat and tidy 'grass' it can be sheared back to encourage new growth if it starts to look a bit scruffy. This is usually done in late winter - just before spring.

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aka Winter Rose. Lenten Rose

A lovely Helleborus with bi-coloured, large cupped flowers of pink and cream. Perfect for a shady spot under trees or in a container and is compact and evergreen. The foliage is marbled and adds to a stunning display as a specimen or bulk planted.

Likes free draining soil and a tidy after finished flowering removing spent flowers.

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Beautiful deep reddish-purple flowers and marbled, deep green foliage forming a compact, tidy clump. Excellent for planting in the border or great for winter containers on the patio or planted in woodlands in bulk . Thrives in partial shade in any good, well drained soil. Perennial.

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aka Lemon Scented Jasmine

Jasminum azoricum, commonly known as lemon-scented jasmine is an evergreen climbing vine. Small dark green glossy leaves and white highly scented star-shaped flowers in summer. Ideal for growing over a trellis or fence.

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aka Spanish Lavender

Lavandula. Laveanna are a new range of ultra compact bushy Lavender which are early flowering. Laveanna Grand Purple features chunky deep purple blooms on short stems which smother the attractive greyish green foliage from spring throughout summer. Very well branched bushy habit. Prefers full sun.

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aka Spanish Lavender

Lavandula. Laveanna are a new range of ultra compact bushy Lavender which are early flowering. Laveanna white features chunky purple blooms with white tufts on short stems which smother the attractive greyish green foliage from spring throughout summer. Very well branched bushy habit. Prefers full sun.

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aka Spanish Lavender

Lavandula. Purple Pixie is a Spanish Lavender with a compact habit. The grey green aromatic foliage is topped off with dark purple flower heads with large mid purple 'rabbit ear' bracts. Trim after the first flush of flowers to encourage reblooming. Prefers a well drained sunny position. Evergreen.

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aka Manuka or Tea Tree

Native. A little compact evergreens shrub with single pale pink flowers from autumn through to winter. The foliage is small and pointed and coloured a bronze green tone. Easy to grow in a sunny spot.

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aka Manuka or Tea Tree

Native. A lovely little tree that will delight with masses of double white flowers in winter and spring. The flowers have a maroon centre and will be much loved by bees. Aromatic dark green foliage with bronze tones. Plant in the sun, tolerant, hardy and evergreen. Suitable for coastal gardens.

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aka Manuka or Tea Tree

Native. Call it Tea Tree or call it Manuka or even by its botanical name of Leptospermum this ubiquitous native tree is a familar site in our landscape. The scented white flowers that appear in summer attract bees that produce delicious honey. Will grow almost anywhere. Evergreen.

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aka Manuka or Tea Tree

An Australian cultivar of Tea Tree that has beautiful double flowers that appear from autumn through to spring. The flowers are in tones of white and pink. Neat and tidy green foliage - loves a sunny spot in the garden - trim lightly after flowering. Tolerant of coastal conditions. Evergreen.

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Rukuhia Beauty is the perfect, shade loving, groundcover for smaller gardens with its lush foliage of dark green. Likes moist earth and a dressing of slow release fert to support its growth periods. Low maintenance plant with high return, looks great planted enmasse. Perennial

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aka Mat Rusher

This Aussie perennial is ideal for group planting in sun or part shade. Fine needles of lime-green foliage form an attractive clump and look good all year round. Little stems of yellow fragrant flowers in summer. Tolerates poor soil but likes good drainage. Easy to grow. Evergreen.

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aka Honey Reed

This tough little Aussie is a great plant for mass planting in difficult spots. Tolerant of poor soil and coastal conditions, sun or part shade. The deep green narrow strap like leaves quickly form a clump. Small, yellow, fragrant flowers in spring. Evergreen. PVR LM300.

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aka Chatham Island Forget-me-not

The Chatham Island forget-me-not is a stunning perennial with large, glossy ribbed foliage topped off with bold clusters of brightest blue flowers in summer and spring. Grow in a sheltered shady spot. Must have protection from afternoon sun. If happy will form a large clump. Evergreen.

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Floribunda. This rose emanates pure charm and beauty with a delicious fruity perfume and enchanting vintage style, light blush pink blooms. Repeat flowering, supremely healthy plant, ideal for planting in any garden situation. Exclusive to Matthews Roses.

Named in memory of the late English actress, this rose was bred in England by renowned Harkness Roses.

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aka Olive

Frantoio produces quite small Olives that are very high in oil content. It is considered to be the premier oil variety in Tuscany. Excellent flavour for pickling. Highly ornamental as well as productive. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Evergreen.

Olives are easy care trees, that prefer a nice loamy soil and sunny position. Feed annually with a well-balanced fertiliser.

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aka Bower vine

This beautiful evergreen climber comes to us from Australia. The foliage is a deep glossy green and the trumpet blooms are shaded a soft pink with a deep maroon centre. The blooms appear from summer through to autumn. Likes the sun but needs a sheltered position; New growth may be frost tender. Evergreen

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aka Mountain Flax

Native. A smaller red foliage variety of mountain flax. Gracefully drooping long bronze leaves and in spring long flower spikes, loved by native birds. An all purpose plant adds colour and texture to your garden. Thrives in wet or dry soils, tolerates sunny, shady and exposed areas. Evergreen

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aka Mountain Flax

Native. Yellow flowers appear November to January. Smaller growing than ordinary Flax. Does not like to be water logged but will withstand drought and salt laden wind. Effective in pebble gardens against large boulders. Good for mass planting and erosion control. Evergreen

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aka Flax

Native. A neat and tidy little flax with fresh green upright foliage. Looks good planted in groups or can look quite striking in the right container. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade. Yellow flower heads in spring-summer. Evergreen.

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aka Flax

Native Little 'Jack Spratt' will not get fat as it is a delightful dwarf flax with narrow upright bronze-red leaves. Looks particularly good group planted. Tough and hardy and quite well groomed. Plant in sun or part shade. Evergreen.

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aka New Zealand Green Flax

Native. The term 'tenax' means strong and tough and this NZ Flax certainly is all of that. Broad swords of green foliage form strong clumps that are perfect for mass planting along stream banks, around ponds or naturalising in the landscape. Tolerant of just about anything. Evergreen.

The summer flowers are much loved by birds especially the native Tui whose beak is perfectly formed to gather nectar from the blooms.

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aka Flax

Native. The term 'tenax' means strong and tough and this NZ Flax certainly is all of that. Broad swords of purplish foliage form strong clumps that are perfect for mass planting along stream banks, around ponds or naturalizing in the landscape. Tolerant of just about anything. Evergreen.

The summer flowers are much loved by birds especially the native Tui whose beak is perfectly formed to gather nectar from the blooms.

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aka Flax

This handsome flax has arching swords of glowing foliage in tones of bronze, red, orange and soft yellow. It has been described as looking like the grain of polished wood hence the name. Stunning for dramatic mass planting. Easy to grow. Tolerant and hardy. Evergreen. PVR FLX027

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aka Lemonwood

Native. A very popular tree which is fast growing and frequently used for hedging, shelter and as a singular specimen tree The leaves, have a lemon scent when crushed. Cream yellow flowers. Hardy to just about everything including attacks by oppossums. Evergreen.

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aka Kohuhu

Native. Grey green leaves outlined in creamy white make this evergreen native shrub a welcome and useful contrast plant for the border or shrubbery. Generally well behaved and easy to grow. Prefers a sunny spot. Evergreen

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aka Kohuhu

Light up your landscape with this 'world famous in the Waikato' version of the ever popular Pittosporum. Small golden variegated foliage and a nice compact habit. Clips well if you would like to use as a hedge. Very hardy and easy to grow in just about any conditions. Evergreen

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aka Kohuhu

Native. An easy to grow and well behaved native tree with attractive, undulating, pale green foliage. The small dark purple flowers emit a heady fragrance in the spring evening air. Great for screening, hedges and for background foliage. Trims well. Evergreen.

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aka Kohuhu

Native. A very attractive form of our NZ Pittosporum that forms a neat, evergreen tree ideal for screening or hedging. Glossy, wavy leaves of mid grey-green on stems that have a bluish hue. Easy and quick growing, trims well. Evergreen.

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aka Ribbonwood

Ribbonwood. A native tree that is worth consideration for any planting scheme. When young the interlacing branches are covered in small dainty leaves. The leaves and whole tree become more graceful upon maturity. Quite easy to grow and remarkably wind tolerant. Deciduous.

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aka Sweet Pea Shrub

A compact dwarf evergreen shrub with a rounded habit. Pretty Mauve/Purple sweet pea-like flowers appear nearly all year round. Plant in full sun or part shade. Cold hardy and withstands dry and sunny conditions. Great for containers, borders or coastal plantings.

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Native. This handsome foliage shrub has a nice compact habit and thick glossy green leaves. Good in coastal area and responds to prunning. Looks great in the garden or use as a container plant. Tropical look. Attracts birds.

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aka Rosemary

This rosemary is a culinary delight and has been especially selected for its fantastic flavour. Lovely to grow in the herb or ornamental garden in a warm sunny spot. Pretty blue flowers that attract bees. Honey, is that roast lamb I smell cooking?

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aka Rosemary

A easy care and easy to grow Rosemary that is great for covering banks and draping over walls. Quite prostrate in habit so give it room to spread. Nice fresh green foliage and pretty blue flowers off and on all year but mostly in spring and autumn. Loves the sun and good drainage. Evergreen.

Though this Rosemary is mostly used for ornamental purposes it is still a culinary herb that can be used in cooking.

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aka Rosemary

'Tuscan Blue' is a form of the upright Rosmarinus officinalis selected for the dark blue flowers which appear on and off for most of the year. Happiest in the sun with good drainage. Tolerant of cold and coastal conditions. Trim regularly to keep compact and encourage new growth. Evergreen.

This Rosemary can be used for culinary purposes, mmmm is that Roast Lamb I smell cooking? Also makes a great hedge or background shrub.

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Floribunda. This compact little rose has blooms that are an unusual blend of salmon pink, copper and lavender. Generous amount of bloom throughout the season offset against dark glossy foliage that is generally healthy. Lightly scented. Multi Award Winner. USA 2006.

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aka Snips

ARS Snips - SE45. These little snips come highly recommended by our Nursery Worker Bev who uses them every day. Made from hardened stainless steel with a light-weight, ergonomic design they are ideal for dead-heading, vegetable and fruit harvesting or simply picking flowers.

Spare parts are available if ever needed.

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Strong steel core with green plastic coating. Sealed top and tip. Raised outer grip lines to secure plant ties. Size 1.6 cm by 150 cm high.

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aka Poor Knights Lily

Poor Knights Lily is a stunning plant and well worth growing. A very slow growing plant with fans of flax-like leaves up to 1m high. Its striking red flowers occur on tall stems in Spring but it takes up to 7 years to flower. When root-bound it will flower more quickly and prolifically.

On the islands, the plants are fed with seabird droppings, which are high in nitrogen and phosphorous. You can simulate this with bird guano, which is sold at some garden shops, or online. Or you may use any slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous.